Latest Windows XP patch can slow down PCs

Computerworld ^ | April 23, 2003 | Joris Evers

[Timesink]

Latest Windows XP patch can slow down PCs

By Joris Evers, IDG News Service
APRIL 23, 2003

Microsoft Corp.'s latest security patch can cause computers running Windows XP to slow down to a crawl, affected users say.

Windows XP can take up to 10 seconds to start an application after installation of the patch released April 16 with Security Bulletin MS03-013, users wrote in dozens of postings on several online discussion boards. Removing the patch brings system speed back to normal, according to those users.

Microsoft is aware of the issue and is investigating, said Stephen Toulouse, a security program manager at Microsoft's security response center.

"We have been made aware of some isolated cases of customers experiencing performance issues after applying the patch," he said, referring to the online reports. No customers have called Microsoft's help desk with the problem, according to Toulouse.

The patch, which Microsoft calls Hotfix Q811493, was distributed via Microsoft's security Web site and the automatic Windows Update service. It fixes a security flaw in the Windows kernel, the core of the Windows operating system. The vulnerability is rated "important" by Microsoft, one notch below the highest level in the vendor's severity rating scheme.

The flaw could allow an attacker to raise his privilege level on a vulnerable system. However, to exploit the flaw, an attacker must be able to log onto a system, either at the computer or via a terminal connection, mitigating the risk.

Users offering online advice suggested that home users experiencing system slowdowns remove the patch because corporate environments with terminal servers and client systems accessed by multiple users are most at risk. Microsoft, however, urged all customers to apply the patch and to call the Microsoft help desk if there are any performance problems afterwards, Toulouse said.

[united1000]

I got this in a XP newsletter, have not done it yet - but thought I would pass it along.

 

A great tip on how to speed up your Windows XP start up times. Just clean out your prefetch folder. Windows XP keeps track of your frequently used programs and sets them up so that they start up faster. However, sometimes a lot of junk gets into the prefetch folder and can slow things down. Try this:

1.. Open the Windows Explorer and go to c:\WINDOWS\Prefetch folder.

2.. Click the View menu and then click the Select All command. This should highlight all the files in the folder. Once all the files in the Prefetch folder are selected, press the DELETE key on the keyboard to delete these files. Click Yes to send the files to the Recycle Bin.

3.. Restart your computer. You should find that Windows XP starts a lot faster!

Do this once a week and your Windows XP startups will always be snappy.

Let me know it you do it if it makes any difference:-)

[stanz]

Were you prompted by Microsoft to install the patch or did you investigate downloading it on your own?

[Cultural Jihad]

From an MS newsgroup posting:

---

First, I would not recommend installing 811493 (or install it, and if you notice a system slowdown, remove it from Add/remove Programs in the Control Panel instead of doing a system restore).

For get Windows Update to work again, renaming or deleting the Catroot2 folder may solve the problem.

Go to http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;326815

Follow the steps 6 to 8 in the Resolution section of above link (do a reboot first so the computer is "fresh" before you do the steps).

Then try to install the update again.

Disregard that the link above is for SP1, the Catroot2 problem is relevant for other updates as well. The Catroot2 problem can be avoided by installing Q817287 (the one you have problems installing ;-)

Windows Update 643 Error and the Catalog Database http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;817287

If renaming or deleting the Catroot2 folder doesn't help, try this:

Check your "windows update.log" file for specific error code (the log file is in your windows folder) and take look at this Web page:

Windows Update Troubleshooter http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/troubleshoot/

---

In my case the initial update failed. Subsequent attempts would bomb at 0%. I followed the steps 6 through 8 above to rename the folder, and after rebooting I went to the Update window and accepted only the Q817287 update. I haven't tried the Q811493 update since, and am unlikely to try!

[Cultural Jihad]

BTTT

[Bush2000]

Well, it's a couple of years later. I now have three Apple computers all running OS X. They all are in excellent workig condition. I have had literally ZERO problems with OS X. None. Nada. Zilch.

Too bad our PCs' perf runs circles around your landfill-bound Macs, eh?

[Billy_bob_bob]

The Vogon are back! RESISTANCE IS USELESS! RESISTANCE IS USELESS!

Funny thing, I actually enjoy Vogon poetry. I'm weird that way. Perhaps you could compose some haiku's about the inevitable triumph of Microsoft over all the Earth?

BTW, about that whole performance thing, check back in the fall. I do believe the playing field is about to change in a way you are not going to like. In the meantime I'll stick with machines that actually work, thank you. Screaming demo's mean nothing when the program you are trying to use crashes over and over.

[Bush2000]

BTW, about that whole performance thing, check back in the fall. I do believe the playing field is about to change in a way you are not going to like.

Faith is all you have left, Billy Bob. You're outgunned, outmaneuvered, and hopelessly left behind. There's simply no way that Apple/Motorola can compete with RedHat/Microsoft/Intel/AMD.

Screaming demo's mean nothing when the program you are trying to use crashes over and over.

Sell your snakeoil somewhere else, pal. I haven't had a machine crash in years. Don't you Mac-heads, like, read or anything?!? It's 2003. Not 1984.

[Jhoffa_]

Same here, Willie, same here. I drive my wife nuts with "In the old days of PC's..."

LOL! No kidding..

I tell people the internet used to be all text and they think I am nuts.

I did attrib to remove a trogan file once that had protected itself. The woman thought I was Bill frik-king Gates for knowing how to do that in DOS.

[Billy_bob_bob]

The final straw for me was a PC I bought with Windows ME on it. It crashed repeatedly while I was trying to use Photoshop to transfer pictures between my Kodak DC280 and my PC. I was not able to transfer more than three pictures without a crash. Hard crashes, ones that froze the entire system. I went to the store and hooked up my DC280 to a iMac and the pictures transferred without a hitch. I've been an Apple user ever since. It is interesting that you left out IBM from your list of companies that Apple cannot compete with. Very interesting indeed.

As far as you not having a machine crash in years, let's just say I'm skeptical and we'll leave it at that.

[Bush2000]

The final straw for me was a PC I bought with Windows ME on it.

Dude, Windows ME went on sale in 1999. Change the script. You're getting really boring...

[Billy_bob_bob]

Me boring? This from the ultimate "one-note Johnny"? I'll take that as a compliment!

[TomServo]

As far as you not having a machine crash in years, let's just say I'm skeptical and we'll leave it at that.

Well - I haven't either Billy. Serious. Been driving W2K since it went on sale. And my server has been running W2K Advanced server for a little over a year with no hitches.

[Bush2000]

Me boring?

For some unknown reason, you never stop bellowing on these Windows and Linux threads about how wonderful your OSX boxes are. You're like some kind of useless tape loop...

[RWG]

I had forgotten about windows since I got mac os 10.2. The RG version was slightly faster than my ME version.

[Billy_bob_bob]

If I'm annoying you then I'm doing SOMETHING right!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

"RESISTANCE IS USELESS! RESISTANCE IS USELESS! RESISTANCE...."

[DaGman]

I'm somewhat surprised that with only 16 megs of memory your machine will run XP.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Only problem I had with my W2K box traced directly to the IDE port on the motherboard. Replaced the motherboard, and not a problem since then.

[Tennessee_Bob]

And on a 300 meg hard drive to boot!

[rdb3]

Or windows 2000 (the single best operating system microsoft has ever made!!)

I agree. Can't say that I've seen Win2K never crash, though. But all in all, Win2K was and still is the best OS that Microsoft has made to date.

And today was a good day...

[TomServo]

Man, grab some RAM. You're HD must be going nuts with your swap file.